The God We Serve

1 Samuel 12:20-22 "And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all you heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hat pleased the Lord to make you his people."

I read this passage of Scripture this morning and God really used it in my heart.

I am so thankful that God's promises and love for us is not dependent on what we do. Here Israel had just asked God to give them a king so that they might be like all other nations. This was a sin against God and it displeased Him greatly. But when Samuel talks to them he doesn't pronounce the judgment of God on them for their mistake instead he calls for them to continue to serve God. Because God did not and bless or love Israel because there was anything special about them. God took care of His people because he chose them and his name was on them.

Many times in my life I get to the point where I know that I have made a lot of foolish decision like Israel did. I think that God will forsake me or leave me because I know that I have messed up. I think that because I have done foolishly that His promises are no longer valid for me.

But here God says something different. God knows that I will mess up and that I will not always make the right decisions and that I will do things in my life that will hurt me. All he wants is for me to have a heart that is completely surrendered to him. He wants me to love and serve him with all that I am. God is not just going to forsake me because I mess up or don't make the right decision His love and care for His people is so much greater than that.

I am so thankful that God chose me and blesses and takes care of me because of who He is. I am happy that God was pleased to choose me. I am so thankful that there is nothing I can do that will cause God to forsake me!